Page 104 of Colorado Bride

He followed the doctor and got her settled onto the bed in the first room.The clinic in Golden was the most modern anywhere in the area.The town fathers had built it in the hope of attracting a doctor to the town and had been successful.Doctor Martin had answered the advertisement immediately after the ad came out in theRocky Mountain News.

The clinic boasted three examination rooms and one surgery.There was an office for the doctor and a waiting room with a desk for a secretary or nurse.The waiting room had chairs for six people to sit while they waited for their turn with the doctor.

“Let me check you now, Emily.How long have you been having contractions?”

“Since dinner last night.Well, just after dinner, when my water broke.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”asked Ben.

“Because you wouldn’t have let me go to Rory’s wedding and I wanted to go.”

“Dang right I wouldn’t have.You’d have stayed home in bed where you should have been.”

“You two stop arguing.This baby may be here quicker than we thought.Ben go out to the waiting room.I’ll come get you when the baby’s here,” said Mrs.Martin.

Ben bent down and kissed Emily.

“I love you.”

She nodded and closed her eyes as pain gripped her.

Mrs.Martin pointed at the door.

“Out.Now, Ben.”

“All right.”He turned back to Emily.“I’ll be right outside.”

The pain passed and she smiled up at him.“We’ll see you soon.”

About thirty minutes after Ben had gone to the waiting room, Rory, Alexandra, Jane, Curt and the kids showed up.

“Well, are you two hitched now?”

Ben extended his hand to Rory.

Smiling, Rory took Ben’s hand and shook it firmly.

“We are.Turns out it was a good thing you didn’t stand up with me.”He jutted his chin toward the examination rooms.“How is she?”

“I don’t know.They threw me out a half hour ago.”

“Might as well sit down and wait.It’s going to be a while before the little one makes its debut,” said Jane.

“I’d agree with you if Emily hadn’t told the doctor she’d been having pains since her water broke last night.”

“Last night!Goodness, she could have the baby at any time then,” said Jane, her hand at her throat.

“I know.That’s why the doctor sent me out.I was just getting in the way in there.”He turned to his pretty new sister-in-law, with her bright red hair, freckles and spectacles.“So Alexandra, how do you like married life so far?”

“I’d have to say it’s exciting.”

Ben ran a hand around the back of his neck.

“Not usually so much, believe me.”

An hour and a half later, Mrs.Martin appeared.

“Ben, we’re ready for you now.”